…one-year later than planned! A small celebratory ceremony was held this week at Hargrave House, Great Baddow with guests hearing from key members of the Kids Inspire volunteer community.

Kids Inspire volunteers have remained active throughout the past year, mentoring young people to support emotional wellbeing, gifting lunches as well as wrapping for the annual Christmas Appeal, and between them have clocked up 3,701 hours – that’s 154 days!

 The Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, presented the volunteer community with their prestigious award, saying: “Each year a network of 100 Kids Inspire volunteers backed by paid staff, help to restore the emotional health and wellbeing of some 2,000 disadvantaged children, young people and their families. The Kids Inspire mantra is, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. The high quality therapeutic and holistic support provided by their team contributing over 11,600 hours a year provide the structure and the substance of ‘that village’. Kids Inspire has truly made a huge difference to many lives. They are extremely worthy recipients of the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services, the highest national award given to voluntary groups”.

On behalf of the Volunteer community, Jane Bridgman-Smith - a trained volunteer mentor - spoke to the small party of 30, saying: “To me volunteering is not about me, it’s about the children. I mentored a young girl, who when we first met was shy and lacked confidence. She has grown so much through our journey and is now so resilient that she felt comfortable sharing her story live on LBC radio.

“On behalf of all Kids Inspire volunteers, thank you for this honourable award and recognition.”

Trustee, Simon Carpenter, went on to say: “I’m proud to be a part of the Kids Inspire story.”

Sue Bell, Kids Inspire’s CEO and Clinical Director said: “I am so delighted that our wonderful and loyal volunteers have been recognised by this most prestigious award. It is thanks to their dedication and commitment that we can reach even more families and children across the County today. Via community outreach programmes, such as Lunch Club, the Christmas Appeal and our professionally trained mentors, our volunteers contribute to making a positive and real difference to young lives daily.

“Thank you to everyone that was involved in making this decision, it really means a lot to be recognised. I am truly proud of the position that Kids Inspire holds within the local community, and even prouder of the committed volunteers that represent us in so many ways.”

The award was celebrated with a small group of 30 guests, including many members of the volunteering community, all of who have played an active part throughout the pandemic and continue to do so.